enoylreduktas

Enoylreduktas, also known as enoate reductase, is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of carbon-carbon double bonds in enoyl derivatives. This reaction is crucial in various metabolic pathways, particularly in fatty acid synthesis and degradation. The enzyme typically uses a reducing cofactor, most commonly NADPH, to donate electrons and a proton to the double bond. This process converts the unsaturated enoyl compound into a saturated acyl compound.

In bacteria, enoylreduktase is a key component of the fatty acid synthase complex, responsible for the elongation of fatty acid chains. In eukaryotes, it plays a similar role in the de novo synthesis of fatty acids. Conversely, enoylreduktases are also involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids, where they catalyze the reduction of trans-Δ3-enoyl-CoA in the mitochondrial matrix, preparing it for further breakdown.

The precise substrate specificity and mechanism of enoylreduktase can vary depending on the organism and its specific metabolic role. However, the fundamental reaction of reducing a double bond remains conserved. This enzyme is a target for certain antimicrobial agents, as inhibiting its activity can disrupt essential metabolic processes in bacteria.